Week 1 Track Preview - Silverstone GP

Silverstone is a classic race course in England, UK that plays host to a number of race series. Depending upon the series, it is driven very differently. For instance, the most difficult, tense corners in a car like we're driving are taken pretty much full-on in F1, not to say that they're not tense. The following map has numbered corners so I will discuss each section. JMS is going to (hopefully) do a video of a demonstration lap I sent him that will give additional support to some of the ideas on how to take the corners. It's one of those tracks that you can drive different ways and get a good result sometimes, but the bottom line is you want downforce, handling, and rear end stability.

The start finish line isn't exactly where it is displayed there... It's a little further within the pit area, and you will usually hit Turn 1 at a good speed. I usually downshift here while braking lightly, and try to take the furthest inside line I can without hitting anything. Then it's back on the gas as quickly as possible down toward Turn 2, which sets up one of the most difficult combination of corners in motorsport. You want to be in the middle of the straight heading toward turn 2/3 (unless there's traffic) and don't overdo the left turn (turn 2) *in my replay if JMS puts it up, I did go too hard into Turn 2 then had a tough time with 3*. Then keep as much speed as you can through Turn 3 staying as far right as possible.

The idea on the 4/5/6 combination is to glide through turn 4, keep as much momentum as possible although you will be braking lightly, and a quick touch the inside curb on Turn 5 and accelerate all the way through turn 6 to get maximum speed for the hangar.

Turn 7 requires finesse braking due to a camber change and then back on the gas as soon as possible setting up a hairpin left at turn 8. If there's no traffic I like to brake on the outside heading into 8, cut the corner sharp, and get back on the gas very gently heading into turn 9/10, hugging the inside (basically one big turn). It is difficult in a RWD car to get the power down here, so practice that.

Turn 11 is another hairpin, and I take it very similar to 8, using the early momentum I get from outside braking and late turn-in to take the Farm straight with good speed. Glide around the Bridge Turn (13) as quickly as possible on the inside, and the same idea on the slower Turn 14, just glide through. These turns have a lot of rhythm to them as 15 is slower yet, usually 2nd gear for me. If no traffic, I like to run a little wide on 16 to set up a wider attack angle onto the straight. Turn 17 is full speed and can only hurt you if you're out of control or running wide, so just be aware.

JMS is gonna put a replay of a lap I ran yesterday and I don't know what it was as far as a time, we can see when he puts it up, I didn't look. I would say a "decent" lap will be in the 2:02-2:05 range, a good lap is in the 2:00 range or lower.

Use TCS if you need to, rather than get massively frustrated, you know? To me it's much harder to be gentle on the throttle with a wheel/pedals than a controller, I have no idea why. My friends in the Forza community are telling me that TCS takes very little off your time (if any) in Forza 4...

JMS is gonna put a replay of a lap I ran yesterday and I don't know what it was as far as a time, we can see when he puts it up, I didn't look. I would say a "decent" lap will be in the 2:02-2:05 range, a good lap is in the 2:00 range or lower.

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I believe you ran about a 1:59 or so. (sonofa) lol.
Anyways, great write up on Silverstone. Turn 10 has been a thorn in my side with this mustang. This race should be fun.

I prefer not to be at the tail end of decent. 2:05:70 is going to have me at the back of the pack.

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True but it is just a rough benchmark. The first few laps will not be the best laps....once everyone creates some space then you start getting closer to better lap times. Just keep hot lapping......soon you will have the track totally memorized. Remember during the race people will be taking turns in front of you totally different that you might be as we all have different cars, be cautious!